Greetings from the Antipodes

[Mycenius]

Hi All,

I have just recently signed up to this fantastic looking community after being inspired about the Camino de Santiago (Frances) by Bill Bennett's fantastic movie and book "The Way, My Way" that I watched, then read, over the holiday break. I had previously briefly come across the Camino around 2015 when I had become very fit (and much lighter) and fairly active (walking half-marathons, etc); but my life changed for various reasons (and after an accident late 2017 my fitness and desire to travel dissipated) and I developed various health issues; so it fell off the radar. I then rediscovered it and was inspired via watching the Bill Bennett movie on New Years Day 2025.

My fiancée and I are now exploring the possibility of doing the Camino Francés, probably in April-May 2026 at this stage, as we both turn 60 mid-next year. I feel it would be a great achievement in our lives to complete the Camino just prior to reaching that milestone, and it could serve to 'reboot' our lives for their next stage... (and I know similar views have been expressed at times by many pilgrims). I'm especially keen to do this.

I'm also finding life a bit melancholy at present, due to my various health issues and need something special to motivate me and help me re-find (or re-centre) myself. I was particularly drawn to the aspects of learning to live in the moment and appreciating it; not focusing on the future; and facing and releasing your fears, releasing buried/suppressed emotions and similar, all of which was prominent in Bill Bennett's TWMY book & movie, The Way movie, Martin de Vries documentary, and elsewhere in various videos & written material.

As we are in New Zealand we have a bit of logistics (and costs) to plan for to get to France & Spain, so for now we are focussed on learning as much as we can and spending then next 2-3 months educating ourselves and confirming we definitely want to do this.


Then we'll start planning for 2026! To that end over the last 10 days or so we've watched the following (and now starting to watch a few shorter youtube videos on the the practical aspects of doing the Camino):

• The Way, My Way - Bill Bennett biopic
• The Way - Martin Sheen/Emilio Esteves movie
• Walking The Camino: Six Ways to Santiago - documentary of various pilgrims
• Camino Skies - documentary 6 Kiwis/New Zealanders
• The Unlikely Pilgrims - documentary of Australian rehab group
• Camino - Dutch personal documentary/biopic by Martin de Vries
• Pilgrim FULL Camino de Santiago Documentary (Camino Frances) - Youtuber Kate Pilgrim

After watching these in 3-4 of them (incl. the first 2) I found several times there were scenes or events that rasied a lot of deep emotion for me, which has further reinforced my desire to do the Camino.

I've also purchased the following books for my/our reading list (have read Bill Bennett's and about to start on the balance of the list) - several are still intransit though (as I prefer physical books rather than ebooks). I got several of these titles from recommendations in some threads on this forum (incl. a couple of titles written by forum members). Looking to get a good broad feeling for what the Camino is like, from an introspective/spiritual aspect, the interpersonal and the physical/practical side, etc. And also get a broad range of older and newer material:

• The Way, My Way (10th Anniversary Edition) by Bill Bennett
• Off The Road: A Modern-Day Walk Down The Pilgrim's Route Into Spain by Jack Hitt
• Finding Santiago: Stories From and About the Camino de Santiago by Don Thomas
• Go Your Own Way: Following in the footsteps of Martin Sheen on the Way of St James by John Lloyd
• It's About Time: A call to the Camino de Santiago by Johnnie Walker
• The Way of Love: On the Camino de Santiago by Angela Leslee
• To the Field of Stars: A Pilgrim's Journey to Santiago de Compostela by Kevin A. Codd
• Boots to Bliss by Claude Tranchant

Also have ordered the 2024 edition of the John Brierly Guide from Ivar (as figured it's good to have that to orientate oneself to the route and locations) and also the Camino Preparation Guide (2nd Edition) by Mark O'Sullivan. So I figured that I've probably got the book/movie aspect well covered for now (if not a bit 'over-covered'); from both the experience aspect and the guide and preparation side! Regardless that should keep us occupied for reading material over the next couple of months or so to sell us on the concept of doing it, and any initial planning/preparation thoughts.


But I am keen to hear if there is any especially outstanding or universally agreed key title(s) I've missed from the above lists - whether experience stories or practical guidance/preparation related. And also appreciate any other suggestions of sources for practical advice and guidance; such as are there any outstanding blogs worth reading, or are there any youtubers who are considered amongst the best to follow, etc...

Anyway this has become a rather long post, so will finish by saying I appreciate the opportunity to join, and look forward to being part of this community and exploring the Camino(s) and one day being a peregrinos.

John
(Christchurch, NZ)

 

[Robo]

Welcome to the Forum John.

You sound like you are well and truly 'hooked'.

As a bit of a "Caminoholic" and over planner myself, a word of caution.

Movies, books and research are great. And this Forum is a wonderful knowledge base too. If not the best.

But it's important not to set any firm expectations for your Camino.
It might not be like the movie or a book or whatever.
Expectations can set you up for disappointment.

The reality I think, is that "Your" Camino will probably be an amazing experience.
It might not just turn out as you expected

Having said that, I was inspired to walk the Camino first in 2015 by the Martin Sheen movie.
And I had been warned that it was "just a movie" so I had no expectations.
I just walked with an open mind and an open heart........and it was everything I could have hoped for.

Welcome

PS,
Research on the practical aspects of walking a Camino is a different thing and always worthwhile I think.
Though be prepared to hear lots of different opinions and decide what makes sense for you and your circumstances.

 

[OzAnnie]

Welcome John and good luck in your preparations for a 2026 Camino de Santiago.

I’m reading that you’re super excited and really reading up …. As you yourself put it …………………….

So I figured that I've probably got the book/movie aspect well covered for now (if not a bit 'over-covered'); from both the experience aspect and the guide and preparation side!

Yes - now it’s time to ‘just walk awhile ‘.
Depending on your current health issues., slowly at first. Probably better than watching or reading all these movies., YouTubes or books all at once.

You have now discovered this forum …. You will learn anything and everything you’ll need here and be inspired and supported whenever you reach out for help from your virtual friends here.

You’ve ordered a physical Brierley guide book which is a good start to your plan.
Another helpful site for reference when planning (and while walking, as it has links to accommodation and much much more ) is the Gronze site. Gronze.com
It covers most of the camino routes.

You will also have read on this forum that there are a lot of online guides. Many many of them.
A couple to mention are , Wise pilgrim. ( the writer Michael is also a member of this forum ).
Another us ‘Buen camino ‘ .

Though, the camino francés is very well signed and although not strictly necessary, it is always good to become acquainted with this new technology even if it is only to help others along the way.



Enjoy the preparations for your camino , and mind & body.

 

[Mycenius]

As a bit of a "Caminoholic" and over planner myself, a word of caution.

Movies, books and research are great. And this Forum is a wonderful knowledge base too. If not the best.

But it's important not to set any firm expectations for your Camino.
It might not be like the movie or a book or whatever.
Expectations can set you up for disappointment.

Thanks @Robo and yes absolutely! Appreciate the words of wisdom.

I'm very conscious that what I/We experience almost certainly won't be the same as the books and movies. I'm very open to que sera, sera so to speak for it. I mainly find they are good for (a) motivation, (b) the emotional connection to just the "idea" of doing it, and (c) just the visuals/landscapes and some of the practical aspects...

EDIT: ...and conscious of trying hard not to be 'romanticising' the experience before even actually experiencing it!

The reality I think, is that "Your" Camino will probably be an amazing experience.
It might not just turn out as you expected

Totally!

Having said that, I was inspired to walk the Camino first in 2015 by the Martin Sheen movie.
And I had been warned tat it was "just a movie" so I had no expectations.
I just walked with an open mind and an open heart........and it was everything I could have hoped for.

Yes - absolutely have that mindset. I love walking, full stop, its my preferred exercise, and I love solititude (my fiancée does also to a degree). So will mostly just be looking forward to being out in nature, grand vistas, etc, and ambling along at our own pace not worrying about tomorrow! Unfortunately its hard to do things like this in NZ because we have quite long distances without the traditional villages every few km and so on - we have fantastic traditional bush and mountain walks/tramps but they are multiday where you have to carry everything from the start, and they are remote and there is little or no opportunity to rest and resupply. Thats where the Camino and similar are so different.

PS,
Research on the practical aspects of walking a Camino is a different thing and always worthwhile I think.
Though be prepared to hear lots of different opinions and decide what makes sense for you and your circumstances.

Yes - I expect everyone will have a different view on the right way to do some things... So will sift those as appropriate to absorb what seems best for us, plus I expect some of the advice and/or experience will just be sound or worth knowing regardless!

Thank You

 

[Mycenius]

Yes - now it’s time to ‘just walk awhile ‘.
Depending on your current health issues., slowly at first. Probably better than watching or reading all these movies., YouTubes or books all at once.

Thanks @OzAnnie - appreciate the kind words.

Yes - as fate would have it I am right now trying to regain some fitness and regular walking to get over some accumulated and prolonged health issues from 2024! So this is good motivation to do that. And yes will hopefully do more of that and less of the reading!

You have now discovered this forum …. You will learn anything and everything you’ll need here and be inspired and supported whenever you reach out for help from your virtual friends here.

Thank You

You’ve ordered a physical Brierley guide book which is a good start to your plan.

Another helpful site for reference when planning (and while walking, as it has links to accommodation and much much more ) is the Gronze site. Gronze.com
It covers most of the camino routes.

Thanks. Yes I had stumbled across the Gronze site but not yet investigated it much. Next on the list I think...

You will also have read on this forum that there are a lot of online guides. Many many of them.
A couple to mention are , Wise pilgrim. ( the writer Michael is also a member of this forum ).
Another us ‘Buen camino ‘ .

Thanks for the heads up on the Wise Pilgrim and Buen Camino - I was not really aware of them per se, although I had seen a couple of passing references to the former adn electronic guides in a couple of threads. So I will check them out shortly too.

Though, the camino francés is very well signed and although not strictly necessary, it is always good to become acquainted with this new technology even if it is only to help others along the way.

Enjoy the preparations for your camino , and mind & body.

 

[Lindsay53]

Welcome to the forum mate. This is the place for all the information you could want about your upcoming adventure. Buen Camino!

 

[KiwiJohn]

Welcome, John, to the forum. I completed my first Camino on the Francés in September/October '23 at the 'young' age of 72.
Do it, John and fiancee. You will never regret it.
I am in the planning stage to start the Camino del Norte in late September.
If you need any advice, DM me so we could arrange a video chat over a glass of wine.
Best wishes, John.

 

[Mycenius]

...Do it, John and fiancee. You will never regret it.
I am in the planning stage to start the Camino del Norte in late September.
If you need any advice, DM me so we could arrange a video chat over a glass of wine.
Best wishes, John.

Thanks John - will do!

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

@Mycenius, welcome to the forum.
I Echo the others in encouraging you to get out and walk, but I appreciate your point that it is not as easy in NZ as in the UK, Europe or America for example.
That said there are a few decent walks around the Christchurch area, for example walking to Lyttleton you've got at least three different routes that I can think of. Of course you've then got to figure out the transport home again.

Edited to add: download Mapy.cz . In the menu look for 'trips nearby', you can then vary the length of the walk you want to make (literally from your doorstep) and it will come up with suggestions. Yes that is of course urban if you are an in urban area but it's a great start.

You can also look for walks between 1 point and another, sometimes you will have more than one option.

 

[JustOneGuy]

John
(Christchurch, NZ)

Welcome John,

I have no real experience or advice to share with you, but I feel particularly connected to NZ and every time I read about something from your lovely country I can't help but feel a strong emotion. I have 18 NZ visas in my old passport when I travelled there on my way to Antarctica and back from Italy and later Australia. One of the best travel experiences of my life was a motorbike tour of the whole country, North and South, but the best was... getting married there on the coast near Christchurch with my Italian partner once I returned from one of my Antarctic expeditions.

Your ‘bookish’ approach to the Camino is beautiful! Maybe I should try it too but I'm a bit afraid it will spoil the surprise for me... or not?

If I don't have any advice, perhaps I have a question for you: how much experience do you have about Europe and in particular of Latin countries and Spain, or rather rural areas? Have you ever been here?

Good luck. I too am planning to do a Camino in April this year. I am 66 years old but I don't have any major health problems, but certainly a lot of stress in this period from work that is literally eating away at me from the inside.

Like you, I need a way to reboot my life.

 

[J Willhaus]

My husband and I also planned our Camino for two years before finally walking the first time in 2016. The life changes didn't come for me until near the end after 45 days of walking, so don't expect miracles immediately.

Two other good movies are "Six Ways to Santiago" and "I'll Push You". Both are documentaries. Another touching one that is only available online is "Phil's Camino". Also a documentary.

For reading, there are many books out there. One of my favorite memoirs is called "Furnace Full of God" by Rebekah Scott. I also like the "Great Westward Walk". I've just reread both as we prepare for this year's pilgrimage time coming up in a few weeks.

I found movies and books had more context after we had our first Camino so I re-read and re-watched many things (and still do.)

 

[David Tallan]

Hi All,

I have just recently signed up to this fantastic looking community after being inspired about the Camino de Santiago (Frances) by Bill Bennett's fantastic movie and book "The Way, My Way" that I watched, then read, over the holiday break. I had previously briefly come across the Camino around 2015 when I had become very fit (and much lighter) and fairly active (walking half-marathons, etc); but my life changed for various reasons (and after an accident late 2017 my fitness and desire to travel dissipated) and I developed various health issues; so it fell off the radar. I then rediscovered it and was inspired via watching the Bill Bennett movie on New Years Day 2025.

My fiancée and I are now exploring the possibility of doing the Camino Francés, probably in April-May 2026 at this stage, as we both turn 60 mid-next year. I feel it would be a great achievement in our lives to complete the Camino just prior to reaching that milestone, and it could serve to 'reboot' our lives for their next stage... (and I know similar views have been expressed at times by many pilgrims). I'm especially keen to do this.

I'm also finding life a bit melancholy at present, due to my various health issues and need something special to motivate me and help me re-find (or re-centre) myself. I was particularly drawn to the aspects of learning to live in the moment and appreciating it; not focusing on the future; and facing and releasing your fears, releasing buried/suppressed emotions and similar, all of which was prominent in Bill Bennett's TWMY book & movie, The Way movie, Martin de Vries documentary, and elsewhere in various videos & written material.

As we are in New Zealand we have a bit of logistics (and costs) to plan for to get to France & Spain, so for now we are focussed on learning as much as we can and spending then next 2-3 months educating ourselves and confirming we definitely want to do this.


Then we'll start planning for 2026! To that end over the last 10 days or so we've watched the following (and now starting to watch a few shorter youtube videos on the the practical aspects of doing the Camino):

• The Way, My Way - Bill Bennett biopic
• The Way - Martin Sheen/Emilio Esteves movie
• Walking The Camino: Six Ways to Santiago - documentary of various pilgrims
• Camino Skies - documentary 6 Kiwis/New Zealanders
• The Unlikely Pilgrims - documentary of Australian rehab group
• Camino - Dutch personal documentary/biopic by Martin de Vries
• Pilgrim FULL Camino de Santiago Documentary (Camino Frances) - Youtuber Kate Pilgrim

After watching these in 3-4 of them (incl. the first 2) I found several times there were scenes or events that rasied a lot of deep emotion for me, which has further reinforced my desire to do the Camino.

I've also purchased the following books for my/our reading list (have read Bill Bennett's and about to start on the balance of the list) - several are still intransit though (as I prefer physical books rather than ebooks). I got several of these titles from recommendations in some threads on this forum (incl. a couple of titles written by forum members). Looking to get a good broad feeling for what the Camino is like, from an introspective/spiritual aspect, the interpersonal and the physical/practical side, etc. And also get a broad range of older and newer material:

• The Way, My Way (10th Anniversary Edition) by Bill Bennett
• Off The Road: A Modern-Day Walk Down The Pilgrim's Route Into Spain by Jack Hitt
• Finding Santiago: Stories From and About the Camino de Santiago by Don Thomas
• Go Your Own Way: Following in the footsteps of Martin Sheen on the Way of St James by John Lloyd
• It's About Time: A call to the Camino de Santiago by Johnnie Walker
• The Way of Love: On the Camino de Santiago by Angela Leslee
• To the Field of Stars: A Pilgrim's Journey to Santiago de Compostela by Kevin A. Codd
• Boots to Bliss by Claude Tranchant

Also have ordered the 2024 edition of the John Brierly Guide from Ivar (as figured it's good to have that to orientate oneself to the route and locations) and also the Camino Preparation Guide (2nd Edition) by Mark O'Sullivan. So I figured that I've probably got the book/movie aspect well covered for now (if not a bit 'over-covered'); from both the experience aspect and the guide and preparation side! Regardless that should keep us occupied for reading material over the next couple of months or so to sell us on the concept of doing it, and any initial planning/preparation thoughts.


But I am keen to hear if there is any especially outstanding or universally agreed key title(s) I've missed from the above lists - whether experience stories or practical guidance/preparation related. And also appreciate any other suggestions of sources for practical advice and guidance; such as are there any outstanding blogs worth reading, or are there any youtubers who are considered amongst the best to follow, etc...

Anyway this has become a rather long post, so will finish by saying I appreciate the opportunity to join, and look forward to being part of this community and exploring the Camino(s) and one day being a peregrinos.

John
(Christchurch, NZ)

You can find a list of online videos and a bibliography that I was maintaining in the Forum resources section. I haven't abandoned them, but I acknowledge that I am way behind in keeping them updated, and it gets harder and harder as more and more is produced to keep up with it all.

For the videos, my favourites are at the top of each section. Books are difficult to recommend, because it is so much a matter of personal taste. We had a book club here on the Forum and some of my favourites were definitely not the favourites of others on the Forum. With that proviso, I will mention four: Walk in a Relaxed Manner by Joyce Rupp, A Hug for the Apostle by Laurie Dennett, The Great Westward Walk by Antxon Gonzalez Gabarain "Bolitx" (translated by Rebekah Scott). All of those are personal accounts and thoughts on the Camino. In a completely different category is the fourth, The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago: The Complete Cultural Handbook by David M. Gitlitz and Linda Kay Davidson. It complements well the guidebooks and/or apps you are sure to come across. Old as it is, there remains no better guide to what you will see on the Frances.

 

[Mycenius]

I Echo the others in encouraging you to get out and walk, but I appreciate your point that it is not as easy in NZ as in the UK, Europe or America for example.

Cheers Peter - yes its on the agenda regardless

For the 2½ years before I fell on the stairs end of 2017 and badly broke my lower right leg*, I used to walk 70km+ and do a couple of 30 minute gym sessions with a PT each week; I had walked a couple of half marathons (21km) and regularly did 17km walks every week that included some hill work (as I lived in Auckland at the time). So regular walking per se wasn't so much an issue, but for really major walks (and multi-day ones) and anything with meaningful hill work it is a bit more limited (there are no rural walks like in Europe or UK going village to village; nor any safe walkways for pedestrians following the major highway routes between towns or such. As you say there is the port hills walk over to Lyttleton here which is a reasonable hill workout.

(* which ended up being 2¼ years recovery including a second operation)

Edited to add: download Mapy.cz . In the menu look for 'trips nearby', you can then vary the length of the walk you want to make (literally from your doorstep) and it will come up with suggestions. Yes that is of course urban if you are an in urban area but it's a great start.

Cheers - I will have a look - I have done large mileages walking around urban and rural areas but that was 8-11 years ago now. I think I have seen Mapy.cz previously but will check it out. I generally use MapMyWalk app predominately and have used the Strava app as well in the last. Both of which have features providing route suggestions from other users, etc. Biggest problems with mapping and fitness apps however is privacy (notoriously poor for various reasons).

...getting married there on the coast near Christchurch with my Italian partner once I returned from one of my Antarctic expeditions.

Nice! I proposed to my fiancée north of Christchurch on the beach at Kaikōura at sunrise, about 3 months before the big earthquake in 2016!

Your ‘bookish’ approach to the Camino is beautiful! Maybe I should try it too but I'm a bit afraid it will spoil the surprise for me... or not?

Yes I can understand that. For me its about maintaining enthusiasiasm and keeping the interest fueled over the coming months - once we make the committment to definitely do it then this will matter less as we'll be more focussed on prep and planning... Plus I am usually a voracious reader anyway, so I'd be reading something anyway - might as well be about the Camino!

If I don't have any advice, perhaps I have a question for you: how much experience do you have about Europe and in particular of Latin countries and Spain, or rather rural areas? Have you ever been here?

No, I have never been to the UK or Europe. I have travelled the USA a reasonable amount, and also been to China (plus local regional stuff like Australia numerous times). But nothing in Europe (nor has my fiancée) - so will be quite the experience I expect.

Good luck. I too am planning to do a Camino in April this year. I am 66 years old but I don't have any major health problems, but certainly a lot of stress in this period from work that is literally eating away at me from the inside.

Like you, I need a way to reboot my life.

 

[Mycenius]

My husband and I also planned our Camino for two years before finally walking the first time in 2016. The life changes didn't come for me until near the end after 45 days of walking, so don't expect miracles immediately.

Understood and yes I don't expect soem instant fix. And likely some will only come with some introspection well after finishing I suspect...

Two other good movies are "Six Ways to Santiago" and "I'll Push You". Both are documentaries. Another touching one that is only available online is "Phil's Camino". Also a documentary.

Thanks - will look them up. Pretty sure I came across Six Ways to Santiago but something put me off it (or I couldn't stream it on services available here in NZ) - but I'll definitley look it up again and recheck.

For reading, there are many books out there. One of my favorite memoirs is called "Furnace Full of God" by Rebekah Scott. I also like the "Great Westward Walk". I've just reread both as we prepare for this year's pilgrimage time coming up in a few weeks.

Thanks - yes Furnace Full of God is on my more extended list - so if I get any more titles to read it'll be one of the first in the second batch...

You can find a list of online videos and a bibliography that I was maintaining in the Forum resources section. I haven't abandoned them, but I acknowledge that I am way behind in keeping them updated, and it gets harder and harder as more and more is produced to keep up with it all.

Thanks David and yes I discovered your excellent bibliography a coupel of days ago! So am just working through it at present.

For the videos, my favourites are at the top of each section. Books are difficult to recommend, because it is so much a matter of personal taste. We had a book club here on the Forum and some of my favourites were definitely not the favourites of others on the Forum. With that proviso, I will mention four: Walk in a Relaxed Manner by Joyce Rupp, A Hug for the Apostle by Laurie Dennett, The Great Westward Walk by Antxon Gonzalez Gabarain "Bolitx" (translated by Rebekah Scott). All of those are personal accounts and thoughts on the Camino. In a completely different category is the fourth, The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago: The Complete Cultural Handbook by David M. Gitlitz and Linda Kay Davidson. It complements well the guidebooks and/or apps you are sure to come across. Old as it is, there remains no better guide to what you will see on the Frances.

Fantastic - Thanks David!